Courtois: “We were better in the second half and that's the line we have to follow”
“Trent and Huijsen did a good job, it was a decent first game for them," he said about the new signings.
Courtois spoke to the press following the final whistle in our team's Club World Cup opener. The goalkeeper assessed the draw with Al Hilal: “We played too slowly in the first half and they looked the more likely. Then we got the goal and then gave away a silly penalty that levelled it up. In the second half we fixed things we needed to and looked a bit quicker, more agile."
“We looked dangerous but it wasn't to be. It's a shame to miss the penalty, but if we keep up the way we did things in the second half, that will surely help us in the upcoming games. We were better in the second half and that's the line we have to follow."
Debuts for Trent and Huijsen
“It's our first match together and it's not easy, but they did a good job and if there are things to work on, we'll look at that in the videos. It was a decent first game for them."
Enjoy all the videos from this match on RM Play
Xabi Alonso's half-time instructions
“We have to look to build up by passing the ball, not always switch straight to attack, because sometimes it's better to keep possession and open up the space. If you're moving too quickly, it's harder to pass the ball. We did that better in the second half."
Bono's penalty save
“Fede has a fierce shot on him. The goalkeeper went early and that's how he stopped it. It's a shame but Fede has to keep his head up and move on."